Plastic Ball and Side Weight

[improvemybowling]

I recently started using a plastic ball to pick-up my spares and found how to pick-up most pins. However, I have a problem with the 10-pin. I cannot throw the ball harder due to combat injuries from Iraq so that is out of the question but I can still rev a ball pretty good.

1) Currently the ball is drilled finger-tip with no side weight. Is there a way to make a plastic ball a backup ball and put enough revs to negate the backup ball while still making the ball a finger-tip ball?

2) Is there any other way to make the ball go straighter without just doing a half-follow through and hoping it stays on the lane or gets to the 10-pin or throwing harder? I do not want to drastically change my swing just for one pin.

[litefrozen]

First You need to relax your wrist during release and don't spin the ball.

you could just spread your index and pinky fingers wide and come straight up the back of the ball so it rolls end over end.

A lot of bowlers don't put in their ring finger when shooting the ten, that takes alot off the ball.

For a backup ball you just dump your wrist to the right (Left if your left handed) just before you release the ball. It's not how you drill it.

Don't do a half follow through! cutting your swing short is a sure way to miss. you don't have to throw harder, with a full follow through.

A good follow through will naturally project the ball farther and straighter. Just don't turn the ball.

There's no "hoping it stays on the lane", there's practice.

[improvemybowling]

*you could just spread your index and pinky fingers wide and come straight up the back of the ball so it rolls end over end. - Tried this, unable to do it this way

* First You need to relax your wrist during release and don't spin the ball. - Hurt my wrist, used to be able to do this (in fact I used to be able to decently crank a ball using wrist positions - now I have to use a wrist band just to bowl)

* For a backup ball you just dump your wrist to the right (Left if your left handed) just before you release the ball. It's not how you drill it. - Using Orthopedic wristband, unable to hold ball this way with this wristband and hurts my wrist to bowl (actually to lift, seen a heavy hook ball go dead straight because of this) without it for now despite working on my wrist.

* A lot of bowlers don't put in their ring finger when shooting the ten, that takes alot off the ball. - I will try this. I was informed of this by a more seasoned bowler as he does the same trick.

A lot of bowlers don't put in their ring finger when shooting the ten, that takes alot off the ball.

For a backup ball you just dump your wrist to the right (Left if your left handed) just before you release the ball. It's not how you drill it.

Don't do a half follow through! cutting your swing short is a sure way to miss. you don't have to throw harder, with a full follow through.

A good follow through will naturally project the ball farther and straighter. Just don't turn the ball.

There's no "hoping it stays on the lane", there's practice.

[BigDawg70]

You might try putting your thumb in the ball 1st then your fingers. I found this will take a lot off the ball as well.

[litefrozen]

Try using the SUITCASE GRIP
Holding the ball as you would the handle of a suitcase; which promotes reduced hook.
If you are right-handed, your thumb is pointed somewhere about 9 and 10 O'Clock and your fingers at about 4:30.

what type wrist brace are you using now? a different one may allow more options and still offer support for your wrist. Example: A "Moro Pro Release" I use one of these.

Possible option is also going to a lighter ball.

Try to get qualified coaching help, or someone sufficiently familiar with your game to watch you as you bowl.

[improvemybowling]

Redirect

I am not going to switch wrist-bands. I use an orthopedic wristband for a reason. Second, I am actually a certified coach but am trying to figure out techniques that I have not needed to experiment with because I was not injured before and was able to throw harder to stop hook.

To redirect the discussion, would anyone suggest using a positive or negative side weight to make a right-handed plastic ball to become a plastic back-up ball enabling me to bowl like normal without massive changes to my game?

[litefrozen]

You didn't say why you can't go to a lighter ball.
or use the suitcase grip.
the thumb in first tip.
or the leave out ring finger tip.

If your a certified coach (which level? bronze, silver or gold certified?) I would think you should have been able answer your own question.

Be that as it may, you should ask another or higher certified coach to watch your technique and advise you on the best way in regard to your abilities.


As for the use of negative side weight to try and make a ball backup. You'll just make the ball erratic. I would suggest stopping in the pro shop and asking the pro about it.

But if you want more opinions/info on drillings go to the "Drilling and Layout" forum at

http://www.ballreviews.com/

And post your question there. They have more drillers there and could have more alternatives. Such as possibly changing finger pitches to reduce the lift your putting on the ball.

[improvemybowling]

Pro Shop Operators

Any pro-shop operators want to chime in on this? I have one pro shop operator opinion from my local pro shop but would like a wide view on side weight to counteract hook for spare balls bowling finger-tip.

[litefrozen]

I won't bother you anymore after this.

But I have to ask.

What was the local pro shops opinion??
also
Why can't you just go to a lighter ball??
and
What level certified coach are you??

Since there are very few people who come to this forum, I doubt many if any proshop oper. will be by.
you should try in the bigger forums at

http://www.ballreviews.com/

or

http://www.allbowling.com/

they are free also
-----------------------------
Suggestion from JohnP
IMO, you CAN make a plastic ball back up with negative sideweight, but it would take so much that the ball would not be legal. I have used an old 12 lb urethane ball as a "trial ball" for several ladies considering going to a fingertip grip, so the ball now has 3 or 4 sets of holes to the negative side of the last grip I drilled in it. The trial was to see if they could be comfortable throwing a properly fit fingertip grip and the ball obviously was not used in competition. The last lady I did that for normally throws a small hook with her conventional ball, but the trial ball had a definite backup. When we drilled the same grip in her Emerald Vibe it had a definite hook. I haven't weighed it, but I would guess it has about 8 oz negative side weight.

I would suggest sanding a plastic ball to 4000 Abralon, then polishing with Bean's Secret Sauce - burn it in good. When he lines up for the 10 pin have him align his body so his swing to the target is in the same plane as for his strike ball and see what happens. It may take a while for him to get comfortable with his shoulders being open to the foul line. -- JohnP

[TenPin]

Plastic

I have a 15# platic ball that I use for picking up corner pins, mostly. I also on occasion use a wrist support and still am able to pick up the ten without removing it (although I will remove it for a better wrist position). The ball has no negative or positive weight and is drilled straight up. I started using the ball in an out of box condition and has not been polished since buying it over 15+ years ago. The only problems I have with getting ten's is me throwing the ball wrong.

To be honest though, it looks like you want to drill up your ball with negative weight, which is fine. So just drill it to where it is legal and see what happens (a cheap plastic ball at most is $50). Also, since all good coaches know, when practicing, practice the weakest part of your game. If you must have a game with a score, always save it for last.

TenPin

[improvemybowling]

I used only one finger in my ball by removing my ring finger and this is a short-term fix. I am going to try and use TenPin's advice about messing with negative weight later on (this summer perhaps) in order to prevent long-term injuries when dealing with dryer house shots. I am used to heavy oil shots where plastic balls do not hook unless you throw it slow.

[BowlingTracker]

All good suggestions here from out regulars.. Personally, I don't think negative side-weight will help you much. Although neg side weight is supposed to produce less hook, it will cause the ball to start rolling earlier, which is counter productive on dryer lanes. I would suggest one or more of the following, in order of priorty..

1. Learn to stay behind the ball so there is not axis rotation (not to be confused with rev rate)
2. Ligher ball
3. Very High RG ball

Since you can't throw the ball harder, you must throw it straighter (less side roll) to handle dryer lanes.. Nothing else is going to help you much.

[adamo]

Have you ever tried throwing cross lane at your 10 pins? and I'm actually kinda surprised that this hasn't been mentioned since it's in my opinion its a basic bowling technique. and I would say about 90% of men in my league do this. Doing the cross lane you are able to keep your same motion and release as you would and with the plastic ball it really shouldn't matter how fast or how many revs you put on the ball. The main purpose of the plastic ball is just pretty much slide into the pin.

So in case you don't know how to do the cross lane shot. for right handers. on the approach stand 6 boards left of the last dot on the left..... turn your feet so your toes are pointing at the 10 pin... when you start your approach you should walk straight at the ten pin..... when you release the ball you should be throwing between the the 3rd arrow on the right side and the middle arrow. The ball should if you hit the mark should just slide into the 10 pin.

I just thought I would give my 2 cents. you really don't need to do anything to the plastic ball, having it drilled straight up is good enough, you just have to know how the ball will react and then make the proper adjustments.

hope this helps you.

Adamo